I was recently given the opportunity to visit The Red Door spa at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT to try out their 50 Minute Signature Massage. The official description for the massage is: This guest favorite incorporates essences of shea butter cream, facial acupressure and foot reflexology for head to toe balance and relaxation.

The Red Door offers everything from facials, massage and body treatments to nail care, hair design, make up artistry and more. I will definitely look forward to trying some of their other services in the future. The moment you walk in the spa the relaxation begins. 


I was a little nervous since I've only ever received massages from my Aunt in her home office (and once while on vacation in Santorini.) I was immediately put at ease upon entering The Red Door.  I arrived 30 minutes early, as the website suggests, to start relaxing before my massage.

You get a robe and sandals to start feeling fully pampered. Soft music also plays in all the rooms and there is complimentary water (and apples!) in the relaxation room. Little touches like this are always helpful when you need to unwind.


I have chronic back pain thanks to gymnastics so I get massages from my aunt once a month. I made sure to let my massage therapist Kat know about my back pain before we started so she knew to spend a little more time there. Kat explained the process of the massage before we began letting me know that she would be spraying an olive oil body spray before applying lotion for my massage. She also said that at different points in the massage heated towels would be applied, which was a great touch on my back, feet and neck.

She made sure to check up on me at different points during the massage to ask if the pressure was okay and if I was feeling any pain.  The massage started on my back, then we moved to arms, legs and feet all while laying on my stomach.  We ended that portion with a foot reflexology massage. After that I flipped over for some more arm and leg work followed by a short facial massage.  One of my favorite parts of the massage was the aromatherapy Kat put near the head cradle so while I breathed I had some lavender and other scents to help me relax even more.


You can book your own appointment via their website or if you want to gift someone one of their many services, head to their gift page where you can purchase a gift card (in a dollar amount,) a gift certificate (for a specific service) or a Red Door membership. Be sure to check out their current promotions as well!

A few more photos from the day.

Founded by day spa pioneer Elizabeth Arden, The Red Door offers award-winning signature services, enhanced specialty treatments and beauty and wellness recommendations, including everything from facials, massage and body treatments to nail care, hair design, make up artistry and more. Importantly, The Red Door provides guests with a unique and unforgettable experience, delivering the highest level of technical expertise and impeccable guest service. With the belief that beauty and wellness work in harmony to make lives better, The Red Door continues to expand, innovate and serve as a leader within the day spa industry.

If you read my wardrobe update post last week you'll already know most of the story on these pants. I have wanted them since September 2014 when I saw Emma Stone wear them at an event. I found them on Net-a-Porter soon after that and they were a bit too pricey ($1500+) so I resigned to the fact that I would never own them.  Earlier this year they were $578 at The Outnet, still too expensive. But then, one fateful day, I checked Yoox and found 3 different versions of the pants and they were an extra 15% thanks to a coupon code I had! So I splurged and paid $247 to add these beauties to my closet.

I was going to wear them right away, but then a company asked if I wanted to review one of their crop tops. Since it was black I decided to wait and wear the pants with that since I had envisioned wearing them with a crop top at some point. The top is a nice sturdy fabric and not too cropped so it was a perfect match for the pants! I also really like the higher neckline as well.

Crop Top c/o Simple Retro (Amazon), Printed Pants: Proenza Schouler (Yoox), Sandals: Simply Vera Wang (Kohl's), Necklace: bought in Greece

One of the great things about this sweater is it's so thin you can wear it even when it's really warm out. Unfortunately that wasn't the case the day I wore it. It was rainy and on the chillier side. All items are the same, except for the jeans.

Tank: Forever 21, Sweater: Tahari (Marshalls), Jeans: Free People, Flats: Chaps (Kohl's)


The Original:

It's one of my favorite times of the shopping year - Net-a-Porter's End of Season sale started last week! So I've started by making my wish list of everything in the sale that I could possibly want (mostly swimsuits and shoes this year) and now I will wait until they get further reduced in a week or two. Ideally I'll wait until the final reductions, but sometimes I pull the trigger early if it looks like something I really want will sell out. 

This jungle print skirt by Carven is one of my sale buys from the past! I bought it in their 2014 sale and it's one of my favorite statement pieces! The Outnet currently has a t-shirt version of the print.

Suede Jacket: Ralph Lauren (Marshalls), Tee: Everlane, Skirt: Carven (Net-a-Porter Sale), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athanasia' (Moda Operandi - on sale!), Necklace: Indulgems (Gilt), Sunglasses: Chanel

I almost got rid of this skirt in a closet purge last year. I still don't wear it much because the slit is a bit awkward but I do like wearing it from time to time.  Decided to pair it with an equally daring top and some high heeled sandals. This tee is one of my favorites, which is very strange because it shows so much skin. Normally I like to cover up, as I'm sure you all know by now.

Cardigan: American Eagle, Tee: Urban Outfitters, Denim Skirt: Mother c/o Marshalls, Heels: Cole Haan 'Minetta' (Amazon), Necklace: Acanthus Jewelry

It's finally been steadily in the 80s the past couple weeks! FINALLY. It seems like we went from cold Spring to hot Summer in one week. Crazy! I usually wear these pants with navy tops but decided to go for a purple-y gray this time. I also wore a slight heel as well. Next I think I'll try them with a higher heel and a different top. We'll see.

Tee: Everlane, Pants: Sea (The Outnet), Sandals: Mula (Marshalls), Necklace: Francesca's, Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto)

Only the bottom half of this outfit is original. I had to improvise with the top and came up with a pretty similar alternative! I also added the necklace since it matched part of the print of my skirt.I think I prefer this new version more, a bit more polished.

Chambray Bomber: Cloth & Stone c/o Marshalls, Cashmere Sweater: Paolo Rodesco (Roundabout Resale), Skirt: made by mom, Belt: Kenneth Cole Reaction (Marshalls), Wedges: Madden Girl (Marshalls), Necklace: House of Harlow 'Station' in stingray (won from South Moon Under)


The Original: Tank: Ellen Tracey, Sweater: Urban Outfitters

I behaved this month and only bought one thing, which I have a good excuse for! 1: It's from my favorite store that used to have a location in Newport but is still open in Boston. 2: It was on "super sale" from $25 to $8.50 and 3: It's my color! Burgundy!

...

I wrote that first paragraph a couple weeks before the end of the month because I was SO SURE I would make it through without buying another thing. How wrong I was. I misbehaved a few days ago and bought some amazing Proenza Schouler pants. BUT, to be fair, I have wanted them since September 2014 and they were an extra 15% off at Yoox (a version of them is still $578 at The Outnet). They should arrive tomorrow and I really hope they fit! But it's probably better that they don't so I have to return them and get the money back ;)

As I say every month: I'll do better in June!!BUT The Net-a-Porter End of Season sale started today, so that could be dangerous!

UPDATE: The pants arrived today and they fit like a glove! Super excited to wear them. Just gotta make sure I wear them A LOT.



THE (modified) RULES

1. Be mindful of purchases 
2. Quality over quantity
3. Basics are best

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. Saint Laurent Multicolor Silk Patchwork Blouse ($350 via eBay, christmas money, $2390+ retail)
2. Free People Jax Patched Skinny Jean ($52, retail $128) 
3. Jason Wu snakeskin pussy bow blouse ($122 via Roundabout, $1395 retail) 
4. Cynthia Steffe 'Naomi' feather print shirt dress ($10 via Lord & Taylor, $248 retail) 
5. Greylin 'Osten' Open Back Romper ($27 via Gilt) 
6. *NEW!* Proenza Schouler Jacquard pants ($247 via Yoox, $1,650+ retail)

Basics:

1. J.Crew Factory colorblock sweater ($24, used gift card)
2. Banana Republic 'patch-pocket' shorts ($11 at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet) 

Shoes:

1. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athanasia' in Croc ($238 via Moda Operandi, $280 retail)
2. J.Crew Raffia Seaside Sandals (Mom bought at Clinton Crossing) 

Accessories:

1.  *NEW!* Gemstone Necklace via Geclassics in Boston ($8.50)

Gifted from Brands:

1.  None

Total spent in 2016:  $468.50
(not counting Saint Laurent top which used Christmas money)

I wore this to go to my oldest friend's bridal shower last weekend. It's crazy to think that I've known her basically my whole life and she's getting married! We don't see each other as much as we used to, but when we do it's like no time has passed.

Dress: Carven Paris Map Print (Yoox), Cardigan: Max Studio, Sandals: Manolo Blahnik (Roundabout Resale), Bag: Etienne Aigner (thrifted), Sunglasses: Chanel (bought in Greece), Necklace: BubuRuby

I love going through my work outfit archives to rewear looks. This is a particular favorite. I love the cardigan and top together. This look has definitely been repeated before but I don't think the repeat has ever made the blog.

Top: Mexx (Coco's $10 sale), Sweater: Kohl's, Jeans: Current/Elliott (Sample Sale), Heels: Manolo Blahnik (Roundabout Resale), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La)


The Original: